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NOTE: Commentary is made as a private citizen and not as Regional Coordinator for Silent No More or Leader of Rachel's Hope, unless otherwise stated.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Welcome Christine Tate to "An Author Speaks!"

Christine Tate, a navy wife and homeschooling mother, is stationed with her
family in Virginia Beach, VA.She is the
author of “The No-Homework Women’s Bible Study:Group Hug” series and has been a Sunday School teacher for many years.

What five words describe you?

Outgoing, creative, resilient, independent,
and reliable.

What are you working on at the minute? What is it about?

At the moment, I'm doing real-world test groups on future
Bible study books that will be added to the Group Hug series. After I
finish working with the focus groups, I plan to further expand the series and
create a Bible study workbook for middle schoolers. I also have plans to
branch out into Christian children's fiction with a story about a tablet named
Maria who travels throughout the United States learning all about our country
from a Christian perspective.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead

character from your most recent book?

Since my books are currently non-fiction, I'll say that if a biography was made
chronicling the circumstances of the series' evolution, I'd pick Roma Downey.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it
have been and why?

Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond is such a wonderfully
practical handbook for Christian parenting. I have such respect for him
as an author with his no-nonsense presentation and practical advice.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Having enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I
want to do!

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Walk away. Literally. If something is not
working, forget about it and do something else. Distraction allows the
subconscious mind to process whatever you have encountered and the other
activity may provide inspiration when you least expect it.

Where would your dream location be for writing?

Waikiki beach in Honolulu, HI. When we were
stationed at Pearl Harbor, I fell in love with the island. It was an
incredible time in our life with gorgeous beaches and vistas everywhere you
turn.

When creating characters, are they based on people in your life?

As a non-fiction writer, I wouldn't say that I base
characters on people in my life so much as I look at people around me and get ideas
for the issues they are dealing with on a daily basis. Truth is always
stranger than fiction.

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have
any advice on how to deal with the bad?

Always! But as a rule, I usually don't respond to
them. It's always fun to read the good ones, but inevitably there will be
someone who doesn't like something you have written. When that happens,
remind yourself that not everyone is looking for the same thing and what
appeals to one person may not appeal to another. God has blessed me with
many great reviews, but when I do get the occasional dissenter, I see it as an
opportunity to allow the negative reviews to provide balance to the good
reviews.

If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?

The wife and mother that I already am.

What would you tell your younger self that would have helped you in
your writing career?

Write about what you enjoy. How do you spend your
time? What types of books/magazines/literature do you read for fun?
Finding the answers to these questions helps narrow down your focus so you can
find the path you were meant to take.